Front springs JTSVP vs Belltech

[Srt10650]

Been driving the truck for a few days now and couldn’t be happier with everything. Bumps that would hit the bump stops no longer hit, the sweet spot is 10psi to run when you don’t have anything in the bed. I haven’t measured it, but with 10psi truck looks the same height. I highly recommend bags in the rear if you lower your truck and still want to use it as a truck. Sure I could’ve c notched it and depending on how low I would’ve had to cut the bed for the dog house. But the downside to that is I wouldn’t have been able to use my bed anymore if I did the dog house in the bed. I could’ve done a under bed c notch, but I didn’t want to cut up my frame. Overall it has been a lot of work but well worth it, my suspension is pretty much complete. Now on to other mods. I will post part numbers and prices later this week for anyone trying to get a ballpark of what parts/funds are needed.

 

[Srt10650]

Just got these shock extenders in today. When you lower a truck, it changes the position and angle of the rear shocks. These will fix that issue. Pretty much 95% done with my suspension, I say 95% because I still haven’t installed my front upper and lower control arms energy suspension polyurethane bushings. They’re just in my garage collecting dust, lol. When I replaced the upper control arms they had new stock moog bushings and I really didn’t want to mess with them. The plan is to buy another set and install them on the new ones when I have some time. Once completed install them and install the lower ones as well. Really tired of having the truck down in the driveway, just really want to drive it and enjoy it. I’ll post some pictures when installed.

 

[AMS3]

Just got these shock extenders in today. When you lower a truck, it changes the position and angle of the rear shocks. These will fix that issue. Pretty much 95% done with my suspension, I say 95% because I still haven’t installed my front upper and lower control arms energy suspension polyurethane bushings. They’re just in my garage collecting dust, lol. When I replaced the upper control arms they had new stock moog bushings and I really didn’t want to mess with them. The plan is to buy another set and install them on the new ones when I have some time. Once completed install them and install the lower ones as well. Really tired of having the truck down in the driveway, just really want to drive it and enjoy it. I’ll post some pictures when installed.

I forget the brand of lowering kit I have, but it came with everything. Surprised yours didn't. When I had the camber/castor bushings added to the front due to the lowering, they squeaked real bad, even if I opened the door. Had to shave about an 1/8 inch off of the metal housings. No more squeaky nonsense.

 

[Srt10650]

I forget the brand of lowering kit I have, but it came with everything. Surprised yours didn't. When I had the camber/castor bushings added to the front due to the lowering, they squeaked real bad, even if I opened the door. Had to shave about an 1/8 inch off of the metal housings. No more squeaky nonsense.

No, i pieced my kit together. I’m using Belltech Components, I have RC front springs and a flip kit in the rear. I searched a couple different kits for an 05 Dodge Ram and the only one that seems to have the shock extenders is the McGaughys kit. Below are a couple of pictures from the kits, McGaughys’s Kit, Belltech Kit, DJM Kit, Ground Force kit, and Max Trac Kit. I couldn’t find a picture of the JTSVP lowering kit, but I doubt they have shock extenders since they use the Belltech rear flip kit(which I have).

 

[AMS3]

No, i pieced my kit together. I’m using Belltech Components, I have RC front springs and a flip kit in the rear. I searched a couple different kits for an 05 Dodge Ram and the only one that seems to have the shock extenders is the McGaughys kit. Below are a couple of pictures from the kits, McGaughys’s Kit, Belltech Kit, DJM Kit, Ground Force kit, and Max Trac Kit. I couldn’t find a picture of the JTSVP lowering kit, but I doubt they have shock extenders since they use the Belltech rear flip kit(which I have).

McGaughy is the brand I used, 2.5 front, 5.0 rear, or 4.5 rear, don't remember. Looks good though, has a forward rake to it. So was it cheaper to piece meal the parts?

 

[Srt10650]

McGaughy is the brand I used, 2.5 front, 5.0 rear, or 4.5 rear, don't remember. Looks good though, has a forward rake to it. So was it cheaper to piece meal the parts?

Just added the prices for Belltech rear flip kit, Belltech RC front springs, McGaughy shock extenders, Energy suspension front bump stops and Prothane suspension rear bump stops. Basically what the McGaughys kit comes with and the total for all those parts was $428.07. It’s about the same price for the Belltech as well.

 

[Srt10650]

Tried to install the shock extenders the other day and they will not work with my Hotchkis rear sway bar. They interfere with the rear sway bar mount. The hotchkis rear sway bar does not bolt up to the stock sway bar mount holes, I tried but the sway bar endlinks don’t line up straight up and down. I used the instructions of a fellow member to mount the Hotchkis sway bars, link below. I did a little search and all rear sway bars are not bolt on. This includes OEM RC rear sway bar, Hotchkis rear sway bar, Belltech rear sway bar, Hellwig rear sway bar, and Addco rear sway bar. You either need to drill holes on the frame rail for the sway bar endlinks/mounts or for the sway bar mounts on the differential. I should be able to modify the shock extenders a little bit and should be able to work. I’ll keep you guys posted.

https://www.vtcoa.com/posts/769831

 

[AMS3]

Tried to install the shock extenders the other day and they will not work with my Hotchkis rear sway bar. They interfere with the rear sway bar mount. The hotchkis rear sway bar does not bolt up to the stock sway bar mount holes, I tried but the sway bar endlinks don’t line up straight up and down. I used the instructions of a fellow member to mount the Hotchkis sway bars, link below. I did a little search and all rear sway bars are not bolt on. This includes OEM RC rear sway bar, Hotchkis rear sway bar, Belltech rear sway bar, Hellwig rear sway bar, and Addco rear sway bar. You either need to drill holes on the frame rail for the sway bar endlinks/mounts or for the sway bar mounts on the differential. I should be able to modify the shock extenders a little bit and should be able to work. I’ll keep you guys posted.

https://www.vtcoa.com/posts/769831

Hate to hear that. I'm glad you said this, I was thinking about getting a rear sway bar with the brand you mentioned. Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Kiwi SRT10]

Tried to install the shock extenders the other day and they will not work with my Hotchkis rear sway bar. They interfere with the rear sway bar mount. The hotchkis rear sway bar does not bolt up to the stock sway bar mount holes, I tried but the sway bar endlinks don’t line up straight up and down. I used the instructions of a fellow member to mount the Hotchkis sway bars, link below. I did a little search and all rear sway bars are not bolt on. This includes OEM RC rear sway bar, Hotchkis rear sway bar, Belltech rear sway bar, Hellwig rear sway bar, and Addco rear sway bar. You either need to drill holes on the frame rail for the sway bar endlinks/mounts or for the sway bar mounts on the differential. I should be able to modify the shock extenders a little bit and should be able to work. I’ll keep you guys posted.

https://www.vtcoa.com/posts/769831

What a lot of work well done. Very interesting, great photos too

 

[Srt10650]

What a lot of work well done. Very interesting, great photos too

Thanks.

 

[Srt10650]

Haven’t had time to add/work on the shock extenders. But recently bought a used lowering by ground force, for a pretty cheap price. The kit came with front springs, rear shackles, and shock extenders. Also came with the plates and bolts(for the lowering blocks/saddles). Kit was incomplete, but came with the things that was worth the price. Thinking about installing the ground force rear shock extenders and seeing how they work for my application. Worst comes to worst I’ll just have to modify 1 set. Below are pictures or the McGaughys and Ground Force shock extenders.